The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced its central contract structure for 2026, announcing revised salary brackets and expanded financial support for national cricketers, with women’s cricket receiving a significant boost as part of the board’s long-term development plans.
The updated contracts introduce improved monthly retainers, equal international match fees for men and women players, and a wider development structure designed to strengthen Nepal’s women’s cricket pipeline from the grassroots level to the senior national side.
While CAN introduced a new A+ category for the men’s team this year, the most notable developments come in the women’s structure, where administrators have focused on increasing support systems and creating opportunities for emerging talent.
Nepal women’s captain Indu Barma headlines the top women’s category A alongside experienced players Puja Mahato, Rubina Chhetri and Sita Rana Magar. The four cricketers have been placed in Category A and will each receive a monthly salary of NPR 55,000 under the revised structure. The move reflects the growing importance of women’s cricket within Nepal’s sporting landscape, particularly as the national side continues gaining international exposure through regional competitions and ICC pathway tournaments.
Indu Barma has played a central role in Nepal’s progress over recent years, leading a side that has steadily developed through increased international fixtures and stronger domestic pathways. Alongside her, all-rounder Rubina Chhetri remains one of Nepal women’s cricket’s most experienced figures, having been part of the national setup through multiple phases of growth.
Beyond the top category, CAN has also broadened financial support deeper into the women’s structure. Kavita Kunwar, Samjhana Khadka and Manisha Upadhyay have been placed in Category B and will receive NPR 40,000 per month. Category C includes Bindu Rawal, Kavita Joshi, Ruby Poddar and Riya Sharma, with players in that bracket earning NPR 30,000 monthly.
The largest investment, however, comes through the Development category. In a move aimed directly at strengthening the future of women’s cricket in Nepal, CAN has included 14 female players in its developmental contracts.
Those players — Roma Thapa, Suman Bista, Ishwari Bista, Soni Pakhrin, Sana Praveen, Sabitri Dhami, Kajol Shrestha, Simanka KC, Anu Kadayat, Yashoda Bista, Laxmi Saud, Mamta Chaudhary, Asmina Karmacharya and Rachana Chaudhary — will each receive NPR 25,000 monthly.
The creation of a larger development pool highlights Nepal cricket’s growing emphasis on building sustainable pathways for younger players entering the national system.
CAN has also introduced equal international match fees for male and female players — another notable step toward greater parity. Players representing Nepal in T20 Internationals will now receive NPR 10,000 per match, while ODI appearances will earn NPR 15,000. The equal fee structure sends an important message about the board’s commitment to women’s cricket and recognition of international representation across both teams.
As Nepal women’s cricket continues building toward greater competitiveness in Asia and ICC competitions, the revised contracts represent more than financial improvement. They reflect growing belief, greater investment and a clearer pathway for the next generation of Nepal women cricketers.
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